Sea Island Resort is a luxurious coastal resort located along the Atlantic Ocean, near St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island in coastal Georgia. It’s on a gated island, but the resort extends into St. Simon’s Island as well and is a popular escape for generations of travelers, including past presidents and celebrities.
It was founded by Howard Coffin, an automobile magnate from Ohio. He also served as chair for what would become United Airlines. The original hotel was built in 1928 by architect Addison Mizner and was reconstructed in the 1990s. The island is home to both visitors and residents.
The History of Sea Island
The Guale people were among the Indigenous groups that lived in the area before European colonization. In the 16th century, Spanish explorers Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón and Hernando de Soto visited what is now Sea Island.
Georgia became a British colony in the 18th century, named for King George. Plantations were established on the mainland and nearby islands, including Sea Island, where crops such as cotton, rice, and indigo were grown using enslaved labor.
The Sea Island Company was founded in 1926 by Coffin, and the company played a key role in developing the island’s infrastructure, including the construction of the Cloister Hotel in 1928. It sits on the former land of the Retreat Plantation.
The resort has hosted prestigious events, including the G8 summit in 2004, showcasing its status as a world-class destination. Photos from this meeting of world leaders can be found throughout the property, along with commemorative oak trees they’ve planted.
Accommodations on Sea Island
The resort offers a range of accommodations, including rooms, suites, cottages, and private residences. These are designed to provide comfort and luxury to guests, with amenities such as ocean views, spacious layouts, and high-end furnishings.
The Cloister
The Forbes Five-Star Cloister takes its inspiration from the original hotel on Sea Island. The breathtaking building holds 265 guest rooms and suites. The adjacent suites at the Sea Island Beach Club and multi-bedroom Cloister Ocean Residences have the same high-quality furnishings.
The Lodge
The AAA Five-Diamond, Forbes Five-Star Lodge is a 58-room hotel and golf clubhouse with perks like soaking tubs and 24-hour butler service. Guests are treated to morning coffee and freshly baked cookies delivered to their rooms. Don’t miss the daily bagpiper performance at sundown.
The Inn
The Inn at Sea Island is on St. Simon’s Island and is inspired by the Mediterranean design of the Cloister. The inn has 85 guest rooms, available for a modest rate, with continental breakfast, a heated pool, and a fitness center. Inn guests do not have access to the main Sea Island campus.
Sea Island Cottage Rentals
Sea Island is made up of 600 privately owned cottages, including 140 available to rent. They’re ideal for larger groups and extended stays.
The Lodge Cottages are made up of seven spaces with over a dozen sleeping rooms and an oceanfront pool. The Cloister Cottages have similar amenities.
Eating and Drinking at Sea Island
The resort features several dining options, from casual beachfront cafes to fine dining restaurants. The Cloister has nine dining outlets, including some that are open seasonally. Tavola is an Italian restaurant that also offers breakfast and brick oven pizza.
The River Bar and Lounge is a casual restaurant and bar with an extensive whiskey menu. Newly reopened, the Georgian Rooms offer high-quality seafood and a casual sushi bar. Following the dress code is recommended.
Colt & Alison at The Lodge is Sea Island’s award-winning steakhouse with USDA prime aged beef. The Men’s Locker Room is a favorite of golfers, functioning as both an actual locker room with an onsite barber shop, and a restaurant. Davis Love Grill is another option on the Retreat Course.
The Oak Room sits amongst hand-painted murals and is known for its shrimp and grits. At the Beach Club, Southern Tide, Wonderland, Snack Shack, Beach Bar, and the Sea Strike & Pub all have casual dining. The Market at Sea Island on St. Simon’s Island is a great spot for a quick bite of pastries and sandwiches.
Things to Do on Sea Island
Golfing at Sea Island
People come from all over the world to golf at Sea Island, which includes the Seaside, Plantation, and Retreat courses. In fact, the resort hosts the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic. The Sea Island Golf Club features an Avenue of the Oaks, planted in the 1990s.
The Spa at Sea Island
The Forbes Five-Star Spa at Sea Island has rightfully earned its acclaim as one of the best in the world. The 65,000-square-foot space offers massages and body treatments, with a water rotunda, therapy pods, and steam rooms. There’s also a fitness studio.
Sea Island for Kids
Sea Island isn’t just for adults. The resort has several activities appropriate for families. Sea Strike & Pub at the Beach Club is fun for games, including bowling, shuffleboard, and darts. Camp Cloister, Cookie Cutters, Under-the-Sea Workshops, and Bingo are also popular.
Other Activities at Sea Island
The island has more to see than its beach. Guests can enjoy tennis, water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding, fishing, horseback riding, shooting, falconry, lawn games, and cycling. The history tour provides background information on the resort’s past.
Tips for Staying at Sea Island
The Cloister is located at 100 Cloister Drive, Sea Island, Georgia 31561. It’s close to three public airports, including an hour from Jacksonville, 1.5 hours from Savannah, and 20 minutes from the Brunswick airport. There’s also a private airport, McKinnon, 10 minutes away on St. Simon’s Island. The resort is around five hours from Atlanta.
Book your stay by calling (855) 572-4975 or visiting the website.
PIN IT
Leave a Reply